Finally, miR-21 inversely correlated with <i>PIAS3</i> and <i>PTEN</i> and miR-155 with SOCS1.<h4>Discussion</h4>These findings highlight the association between miR-155 and miR-21 with target genes SOCS1, PTEN, and PIAS3, that may contribute to the aberrant activation of the STAT3 pathway and the overproduction of IL-21 in SLE patients. This evidence concerns the gene STAT3 and systemic lupus erythematosus.